doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Looking Inside a Treasure Trove,Parker # 168304,

I was given the dubious honour of 'Disassembling the Al special that is to be the Highlight of Julias next auction march 12-13-14.(Check these dates with JJ.) Capt. Jim Fender and Myself are putting a 'Few' words together for Daniel Cote. DGJ. Jim did the Excellent writing on my Parker 'BH'12b. Fred Gilbert's Trap/Live Pigeon Gun, Shooting Sportsman Jan/Feb/07. My findings after removing all necessary screws,removing the 'Non Original Stock,examining the interior parts,hammers, sears, springs,safety mechanisim,triggers,ejectors,forend iron, F/latch.All parts are original to the Gun and are in 99.9% condition. Some parts do show a small amount of 'Normal Wear' Gold Plating worn from the front of the trigger-spurs,original 'Blacking on the barrels is 'All There' Bores areExcellent,I did a quick bores@ 9"(Hand held Gauge).734/,734' Chokes,Full-Full,I'm sure Mr LaRue will give a more precise set of Measurements before the Auction.The Engraving is at the usual High Standard of Artistry for the higher grades of parkers build in "The Golden Era". I think the gun conforms 100% to the description in'The Parker Story' Vol.2. Page 660.I will now Comment on the 'Non Original Stock'.I and several other interested Parties are doing our 'Upmost to Get to The Bottom of this Area of the Gun. The 'Stocker' used a 'Utilitarian'Grade of wood,didnot make Gauges from the Original Stock to duplicate all the radius's(sp) so the stock is a little "On the Plump Side" its 15" from front trigger to Middle'@ Butt-End Original Parker Skeleton Butt-Plate, Numbered from A'Nother.A very Usable, Serviceable gun-stock, Poss,made in 1930s-40s.I have examined several 100% Original Alspls. and Re-Stocked a "Few".I would like "To Do this Gun back to the Original 'Paper c1914" It is a Beautiful Gun,with a Controversial History'But ....The Steel'is Genuine'...Julia's photographer took several'Shots'while I worked on the 'Gun' maybe we will post a couple? Crossedchisels.

DT, by all means post pics as your time permits! Having examined 2 of the Invincibles in detail, I am most anxious to survey this gun! The 'plump' test is most accurate in determining if these beauties have been rewooded. The slender taper to the grip and the angle of the flutes on the nose of the comb are the usual give-aways, as you know better than most. KBM

Thanks for the report! I look forward to hearing more about this gun in the coming weeks.

Ortolan when did you get to view the Invincibles?

Ortolan, This A1spl is as I have said 'Nice'. Crying Shame about the Stock, But I always quote" If a Gunmaker made it in the 1st place, A Gunmaker can make it "Again'!! When you Examined The Invincibles, did you "Pull them Down"??No 230329 has 'WonderfullInternalParts!!!Some interesting Stories, as always surrounding these"Old Lumps of Iron & Wood"( will you be at the'Change of Caretakers' Event,March 12&13?) Crossedchisel.

CC - No, a visual inspection was all that was "authorized" by the owner. Done for a rehab job on the Ithaca Luggage Co. best quality O&L trunk case for SN 230329, which had suffered an extreme attack of mildew and general neglect. All came out well in the end, fortunately. Am making all efforts to attend the March Event - one never knows what obtuse treasures lurk in the lesser-light areas of the dank pre-sale venues! KBM